U.S. patent number 4,869,115 [Application Number 07/205,744] was granted by the patent office on 1989-09-26 for automatic soil sampling machine.
Invention is credited to Robert D. Edwards, A. Earl Smith.
United States Patent |
4,869,115 |
Edwards , et al. |
September 26, 1989 |
Automatic soil sampling machine
Abstract
The present invention entails an automatic soil sampling machine
that is pulled through the field by a prime mover. A disk is
utilized and is power driven by an internal combustion engine or
other power source. About the outer circumference of the disk there
is provided structure that effectively engages the soil as the disk
is powered therethrough and flings the soil upwardly out of the
ground into a rooster tail airborne configuration. A catching
basket or container is mounted on the soil sampling machine and
catches the soil particles being flung from the ground.
Inventors: |
Edwards; Robert D. (Lumberton,
NC), Smith; A. Earl (Hope Mills, NC) |
Family
ID: |
22763473 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/205,744 |
Filed: |
June 13, 1988 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/864.31;
172/120; 73/864.41; 172/112; 172/123; 172/78 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N
1/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01N
1/04 (20060101); G01N 001/04 (); A01B 033/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;172/22,21,15,76,42,43,113,112,120,123,118,78,79,19,20,16 ;37/94
;73/864.41,864 ;175/20 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0252906 |
|
May 1963 |
|
AU |
|
1272610 |
|
Jul 1968 |
|
DE |
|
Primary Examiner: Johnson; Richard J.
Assistant Examiner: Thompson; Jeffrey L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rhodes, Coats & Bennett
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An automatic and continuous soil sampling machine
comprising:
(a) a wheel supported frame structure adapted to move through a
field during a soil sampling operation; and
(b) soil sampling means for penetrating the ground and flinging
samples of soil from the ground into and through the air to where
the soil samples are caught; said soil sampling means
comprising:
a disk rotatively mounted on the frame structure and adapted to
penetrate downwardly into the ground during a soil sampling
operation;
soil particle flinging means carried by the disk for engaging and
flinging soil particles upwardly from the ground;
drive means for rotatively driving the disk as the frame structure
is pulled through the field such that the soil flinging means
carried by the disk engages soil particles within the ground and
flings them upwardly and out of the ground in such a manner that
the flung soil particles become airborne; and
a soil catcher carried by the soil sampling machine spaced
rearwardly of said disk for catching and collecting a portion of
the airborne soil particles while permitting the remaining
particles to fall to the ground.
2. The automatic and continuous soil sampling machine of claim 1
wherein said drive means for rotatively driving the disk includes
means for driving the disk such that the speed of the outer
periphery of the disk is substantially greater than the ground
speed of the main frame structure.
3. The automatic and continuous soil sampling machine of claim 2
wherein the drive means for rotatively driving the disk includes a
power source and means operatively interconnecting the disk and the
power source for rotatively driving the disk.
4. The automatic and continuous soil sampling machine of claim 3
wherein the disk is rotatively driven in the same general direction
as the movement of the soil sampling machine.
5. The automatic soil sampling machine of claim 1 wherein the frame
structure includes a pair of wheels and wherein there is provided
means for adjusting the height of the disk with respect to the
wheels so as to vary the penetrating depth of the disk.
6. The automatic soil sampling machine of claim 5 wherein the frame
structure includes a main elongated front frame and a pair of
laterally spaced arms extending generally downwardly from the rear
portion of the front frame, and wherein the disk is rotatively
mounted between the laterally spaced rear arms.
7. The automatic and continuous soil sampling machine of claim 3
wherein there is provided a flexible drive means interconnecting
the rotating disk and the power source.
8. The automatic soil sampling machine of claim 1 wherein said soil
catcher is mounted generally rearwardly of the rotating disk.
9. The automatic soil sampling machine of claim 8 wherein there is
provided a pair of adjustable arms that are secured to the frame
structure and which extend generally rearwardly therefrom for
supporting the soil catcher.
10. The automatic soil sampling machine of claim 9 wherein the arms
supporting the soil catcher are pivotally mounted such that the
position of the soil catcher can be adjusted relative to the
disk.
11. The automatic soil sampling machine of claim 1 wherein the
outer circumference of the disk includes a fluted configuration
that engages and flings the soil particles.
12. The automatic and continuous soil sampling machine of claim 1
wherein the outer circumference of the rotating disk includes a
series of circumferentially spaced cut-outs formed within the disk
to assist the same in penetrating the earth.
13. The automatic soil sampling machine of claim 1 wherein the
rotating disk includes a plurality of elongated projections that
extend along at least one side of the disk about an outer
circumferential area and wherein the elongated projections are
generally radially oriented on the disk.
14. A method of continuously and automatically obtaining soil
samples from a field comprising the steps of: pulling a main frame
structure having a rotating disk mounted thereon across the fields;
engaging the earth with the rotating disk; rotatively driving the
disk in a selective direction; engaging soil particles within the
ground with the disk as the disk is rotated and flinging the soil
particles upwardly out of the ground such that they become
airborne; and catching a portion of the flung airborne soil
particles at a point rearwardly of the disk as the main frame moves
through the field while permitting the remaining soil particles to
fall to the ground.
15. The method of claim 14 including the step of rotatively driving
the outer periphery of the disk a speed greater than the ground
speed of the frame structure.
16. The method claim 14 including the step of adjusting the
position of the rotating disk with respect to the ground engaging
wheel supporting the main frame structure so as to adjust the depth
of penetration of the disk.
17. The method of claim 14 including the step of providing
projections on the disk about the outer periphery thereof and
engaging soil particles with the projections as the disk is
rotatively driven.
18. A pull-type automatic and continuous soil sampling machine
comprising a main frame structure having a pair of wheels
supporting the main frame structure, the main frame structure
including a front frame having means for attaching the frame
structure to a prime mover and a rear frame structure extending
rearwardly from the front frame structure; the rear frame structure
including a pair of laterally spaced apart arms; soil sampling
means mounted to the main frame structure for penetrating the
ground, flinging particles of soil from the ground into and through
the air, and catching a portion of the airborne soil particles;
said soil sampling means including a relatively thin disk
rotatively mounted between the pair of arms forming a part of the
rear main frame structure; a jack shaft rotatively journaled on the
main frame structure; a flexible drive assembly operatively
interconnected between the jack shaft and the rotating disk for
driving the same; drive means operatively connected to the jack
shaft for driving the same which results in the disk being
rotatively driven; soil flinging elements formed on the outer
circumference of the disk for engaging soil particles as the disk
is rotated through the ground and for flinging the soil particles
generally upwardly and out of the ground; a support structure
extending generally rearwardly from the rotating disk; a soil
catcher secured to the support structure and disposed generally
rearwardly of the rotating disk for catching and collecting a
portion of the soil particles that are flung upwardly and out of
the ground by the driven rotating disk while the remaining soil
particles fall to the ground; and means for adjusting the position
of the rotating disk with respect to the support wheels of the main
frame structure such that the depth of penetration of the disk can
be adjusted.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to soil sampling, and more
particularly to an automatic continuous soil sampling machine of
the type that is powered through a field and which is designed to
automatically sample the soil in the process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Soil sampling is a most important practice among farmers. It is of
the utmost importance for the farmer to understand and appreciate
what is the best fertilizer composition for certain crops. This is
particularly important with respect to high cash crops and crops
that are especially susceptible to disease or to other factors such
as nematodes. For example, a sweet potato farmer will rely on soil
sampling to enable him to choose the optimum fertilizer composition
and to determine if the soil needs to be treated or conditioned for
such conditions or nematodes.
In the past, soil sampling has been a very laborious and time
consuming undertaking. For a four to five acre tract, it would be
recommended to take approximately 15 to 20 separate soil samples.
This means that the individual taking the soil samples would have
to walk over the entire four to five acre tract and to take samples
at appropriately spaced areas within the tract. Unfortunately, the
time and trouble of this has discouraged many farmers from
undertaking and carrying out a most valuable soil sampling
program.
There have been devised automatic soil sampling machines. One such
sampling machine is shown in U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,901. There the
disclosure shows a cylindrical drum with a series of soil sampling
probes extending radially therefrom. As the device is pulled
through the field, the soil sampling projections or the probes are
extended through the ground and soil is compacted therein. During
the rotating process the soil received within the soil probes is
transferred into the container. This type of machine is deemed
unsatisfactory because of problems inherent in loading the soil
probes and then transferring that loaded compacted soil core into
the inner disposed chamber. It is very difficult to envision a
machine of this design being efficient and effective in certain
soils especially soils that are hard, clayey and are filled with
rock and stone.
There has been and continues to be a need for a fully automatic
continuous soil sampling machine that is relatively simple in
design and which is effective and efficient in performing a
continuous and automatic soil sampling operation.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention entails an automatic soil sampling machine
that is designed to be pulled through the field and to continuously
and automatically retrieve soil samples. In particular, the soil
sampling machine of the present invention is designed t be pulled
behind a prim mover and includes a disk that is driven by a power
source and which engages and extends into the ground. In one
design, the disk includes an outer fluted structure that engages
soil particles and lumps and because the disk is driven, flings
soil out of the ground up into the air in a somewhat rooster tail
configuration. Mounted on the soil sampling machine is a catching
container that follows the disk and which catches soil particles
flung from the ground by the disk. By simply making a series of
crossing paths through a field, a representative soil sample can be
quickly and efficiently taken.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an
automatic soil sampling machine that saves time and labor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic
and continuous soil sampling machine that is easy to use, and which
is rugged and dependable.
A further object of the present invention resides in the provision
of an automatic soil sampling machine that is compatable with a
wide range of soil types.
Still a further object of the present invention resides in the
provision of an automatic and continuous soil sampling machine that
is capable of obtaining a most representative soil sample.
Still a further object of the present invention resides in the
provision of a soil sample machine that operates and works on the
basic principal of penetrating the earth and continuously engaging
soil particles or small lumps and flinging the soil from the earth
such that it assumes a rooster tail airborne type configuration and
catching a certain portion of that soil to form a soil sample.
Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of
an automatic soil sampling machine of the character referred to
above that can be easily adjusted for various soil penetration
depths.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and
the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is perspective view of the automatic soil sampling machine
of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the automatic soil sampling
machine of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the automatic soil sampling machine of
the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the automatic soil sampling
machine of the present invention shown with a soil engaging disk of
an alternate design.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the alternate disk.
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the alternate disk design
viewing the edge of the disk.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With further reference to the drawings, the soil sampling machine
of the present invention is shown therein and indicated generally
by the numeral 10. Viewing the soil sampling machine 10 in detail
it is seen that the same comprises a main frame 12 that includes an
elongated beam 14. About the front of beam 14 is a clevis or other
attaching structure for enabling the soil sampling machine to be
attached directly to a truck, tractor, all-terrain vehicle, or the
like.
Mounted intermediately on the beam 14 is an engine mounting plate
16. Engine mounting plate 16 receives and supports an internal
combustion engine 18 securely stationed thereon.
The rear portion of support beam 14 is supported by a rear wheel
assembly 20 including a pair of wheels 22 and 24 and a transverse
axle 26. The height of the beam 14 can be adjusted with respect to
the wheels 22 and 24 and axle 26 through a vertical support member
28 which is adjustably received within a collar or insert 30. Note
that the collar 30 includes a bolt 31 that can be selectively
secured or tightened down onto the vertical member 28 extending
through the collar or insert 30. It is therefore seen by
selectively moving the vertical member 28 up and down within the
collar or insert 30, the height of support beam 14 can be readily
adjusted.
Extending from the rear end of support beam 14 is a pair of support
arms 32 and 34, the support arms being laterally spaced. Rotatively
mounted within the lower end of support arms 32 and 34 is a soil
sampling disk indicated generally by the numeral 36. It is seen
that disk 36 is secured to a shaft 38 that is rotatively journaled
between support arms 32 and 34. Also note the presence of a drive
sprocket 40 that is secured to shaft 38 and as will be understood
from subsequent portions of this disclosure, serves to drive the
same.
Disposed about the upper portion of arms 32 and 34 is a jack shaft
42 which is rotatively mounted between a pair of laterally spaced
bearing block assemblies 44 and 46. The jack shaft 42 is rotatively
journaled within the bearing block assemblies 44 and 46 and has a
drive sheave 48 secured to an outer end thereof. Secured to jack
shaft 42 intermediately between the bearing assemblies is a second
drive sprocket 50.
Internal combustion engine 18 is provided with an output drive
shaft 52 that includes a drive sheave 54 thereon. Sheaves 48 and 54
are drivingly interconnected by one or more belt drives 56 that are
trained around the respective sheaves. Sprockets 40 and 50 are
drivingly interconnected by a chain 49.
Secured to the lower end of the respective arms 32 and 34 is a pair
of basket support members 58 and 60. Each basket support member is
pivotally mounted to the arms such that it can be rotatively
adjusted. Note the provision of a tightening bolt assembly that
enables the respective basket support arms 58 and 60 to be securely
stationed in any desired position.
Secured to the basket support arms 58 and 60 is a catching and
retaining soil bin or container 62. Container 62 can be of any size
or shape.
Now with reference to the soil sampling disk 36, it is seen in
FIGS. 1-3 that the disk 36 disclosed therein includes a fluted
outer circumference around both sides of the disk adjacent the
outer edge thereof. This fluted structure serves to engage the soil
and during the soil sampling operation to fling soil particles back
into a rooster tail configuration where the soil falls into the
soil receiving container 62.
Now turning to FIGS. 4-6, there is shown therein an alternate soil
sampling disk 36. In this alternate design the terminal edge of the
disk is formed with the series of sawtooth-like indentions 64 at
selected intervals around the disk. The sawtooth indentions help
and assist the blade in engaging and cutting through soils,
especially certain hard to penetrate soils that may be the clay
type or contain rock and stone. In addition, about the outer
circumference, on each side of the disk, there is provided a series
of radial beads or ribs 66 that are circumferentially spaced.
In operating this soil sampling machine, the same is pulled through
the field and during the process the internal combustion engine is
powered. The height of the support beam 14 is adjusted with respect
to the rear wheel assembly 20 such that the disk 36 penetrates the
earth a selected distance. Generally, the disk 36 will be driven in
the direction of travel which in the case of the illustration shown
in FIG. 2 would be clockwise. As the soil sampling machine moves
through the field, the disk 36 will engage and penetrate the soil.
As the blade is driven, the fluted or beaded outer surface will
engage the soil and as the disk 36 turns the fluted or beaded
surface will fling small soil particles up from the ground and into
the container 62.
In practice, say for example a field that includes four to five
acres, the individual taking the soil sample may simply traverse
the field in a crossing configuration. That would supply sufficient
soil particles to give an adequate and fair representative soil
sample. Once this has been concluded, the soil is mixed within the
container and then transferred into smaller containers for
analyzation.
From the foregoing discussion, it is seen that the soil sampling
machine of the present invention presents a very efficient and
effective soil sampling machine. Clearly the labor savings is
substantial and the automatic features of the soil sampling machine
eliminates human error and gives a very accurate representative
soil sample.
The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other
specific ways than those herein set forth without parting from the
spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present
embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the
meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended
to be embraced therein.
* * * * *